Upgrading to the EOS 350D. Advice needed

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by eeyore

I must have an old set cos mine dont have contacts for the auto focus - they meter okay but not AF,

my current project is a DIY 45 cm ext tube made out of drainpiping and a vandalised body cap, and filter adaptor. Obviously I loose all my functions (although I am thinking about extending a speed graphic addapter to retain them) but the mag is huge - Getting well in excess of 10:1 - I am currently building a photobench to hold this monstrosity since vibration is a major player and it is strictly studio only. I will post some photos of the set up and those taken with it , when the gallerys are back in battery.

Crikey, that sounds like one heck of a rig! It'll be interesting to see what results you can get with it!

[Jon]

Originally Posted by Chalk Downlanders

That sounds good. Is there any quality loss with the tubes?

No no loss of quality but you have to be very precise when focusing and equally have the camera on a good support. Oh and remember you do lose light so be prepared! Jon

[Chalk Downlanders]

I had a play with the new set up but all the piccys are rubbish . I need a tripod! It's not too bad in strong sunlight though. I'll have a look at your recomendations on the other threads.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Chalk Downlanders

I had a play with the new set up but all the piccys are rubbish . I need a tripod! It's not too bad in strong sunlight though. I'll have a look at your recomendations on the other threads.

What ISO setting are you on , if its below 400 turn it up when the light is poor for faster speeds - I wouldnt go to 800 or 1600 unless you have to due to image noise tho

[Chalk Downlanders]

Originally Posted by eeyore

What ISO setting are you on , if its below 400 turn it up when the light is poor for faster speeds - I wouldnt go to 800 or 1600 unless you have to due to image noise tho

I'll do that when I get the tripod. Is it typical of macro lenses that the do not let too mutch light in?

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Chalk Downlanders

I'll do that when I get the tripod. Is it typical of macro lenses that the do not let too mutch light in?

Normally no , being f2.8 they normally let in loads of light , but if you've got tubes and/or doublers on that would explain the light loss.

Incidentally you dont need to use high isos with a tripod - that is a stop gap to boost your speeds when hand holding

If you want a good book about macro try and find "small things big" by paul harcourt davies

[Chalk Downlanders]

Originally Posted by eeyore

Normally no , being f2.8 they normally let in loads of light , but if you've got tubes and/or doublers on that would explain the light loss.

Most of my time is spent in the woods at this time of year so the light is low at the best of times. The blur seems to be aggrivated by this and the general 1:1 magnification.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Chalk Downlanders

Most of my time is spent in the woods at this time of year so the light is low at the best of times. The blur seems to be aggrivated by this and the general 1:1 magnification.

macro lenses have very small Dof , and as you say can suffer from blur caused by wobble - if you want to shoot in low light you are right about getting a tripod , benbo is arguably the best for macro work ( I dont get on with them myself but the macro gurus on here seem to rate them)

you might also want to lay out some wedge on an off camera adaptor and flash gun , and/ or a ring flash plus a cable or IR release if you dont already have them.

[Chalk Downlanders]

Originally Posted by eeyore

macro lenses have very small Dof , and as you say can suffer from blur caused by wobble - if you want to shoot in low light you are right about getting a tripod , benbo is arguably the best for macro work ( I dont get on with them myself but the macro gurus on here seem to rate them)

you might also want to lay out some wedge on an off camera adaptor and flash gun , and/ or a ring flash plus a cable or IR release if you dont already have them.

What's wrong with the Benbo. I'm not familier with them.
Infact I have not used a tripod. I don't know what to look for in a good 'un.

[Andy Warne]

Originally Posted by Chalk Downlanders

What's wrong with the Benbo. I'm not familier with them.
Infact I have not used a tripod. I don't know what to look for in a good 'un.

They were designed by the devil himself! Imagine having to wrestle an angry, inebriated octopus everytime you want to take a photo.
But seriously, anyone thinking of buying a Benbo should try one out first.